Need Advice from Anyone Who Has Had a Hysterectomy.

My Mom had the DaVinci complete hysterectomy (removed vaginally, minimal abdominal incisions) last August and she took off 8 weeks. She went back partime after 6 weeks. She is an elementary teacher and would get tired very easily, but she is in her early 60s.

I had mine 5 years ago. Abdominal, although it was supposed to be laproscopic. I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days. Got out on a Thursday. The following Thursday I was at my daughters first high school softball game. I walked slowly and carried a pillow with me to protect my incision. By week two I was driving and feeling pretty good. Still slow though, and sore. I don't think I worked for about 4 weeks though. I think you need a little time to rest and heal. Your body heals better when you're resting. If I were you I'd ask for the maximum off, and then if you feel better you can return earlier.

When I had mine it was full surgical. I was in the hospital 4 days, went home and felt pretty good at 6 weeks, but still very tired, returned to work at 7 because my boss was calling me many times a day and saying how much I was needed in the office...and I felt I might as well go back to work since she was bugging me all day. But I should have taken that last 8th week off. I dragged for many months afterwards, and would recommend you put in for the full 8 weeks leave, and then return earlier if you are able.

God bless : )

Everyone recovers differently and it all depends on the type of procedure, etc.
I felt great after my hysterectomy, but I still had to be careful. My son was just a year old so lifting him and things like that were out for a while.

I would put in for the longest amount of time off. You can always go back sooner if you're up to it. Also, discuss with your boss the possibility of just working half days at first. You may not need to do that, but it's better to be prepared for the possibility.

Personally, two weeks seems too early to me. I wasn't allowed to drive for two weeks let alone resume all activities. Then again, I was in the hospital a lot longer than usual.

Best wishes.

I had my hysterectomy in January of this year.

I was off work for 6 weeks, and then on restrictions for a month after I returned to work. My job is quite physical, and I do not sit by a desk. I'm not sure what type of work you do.

DaVinci Robotic is what I had done. I stayed overnight in the hospital for one night. And then sent home w/ some pain pills. I had restrictions for a couple of weeks, and the hardest one to abide by was no lifting over 10lbs. Which is kind of hard to do when I'm a single mom with a 25lb toddler. I also wasn't suppose to drive for 2 weeks, which I didn't abide by, because there wasn't a way I could.

I was uncomfortable for a few days, and I was in quite a lot of pain *if* I overdid it. By the 4th week of recovery, I felt perfectly fine, other then a little tired. I could do what I normally did. I just couldn't risk going back to work to further injure myself. I also couldn't resume in any sexual activity for 12 weeks after surgery, because of the tear. Towards the end of my 6 weeks off, I tore the stitches inside the vagina due to uncontrolled vomitting and uncontrolled diarreah. Which resulted in more bleeding (thats why I was on restrictions when I went back to work).

My doctor told me some women can go back to work rather early after having it done, but because of my job, he didn't want me to go back for 6 weeks.

I would ask for the 8 weeks off from your work, and play by ear with your doctor. He *shouldn't* return you to work until YOU feel good enough to go back. You know your body better then he does. What works for other people, might not work for you.

I hope everything turns out great for you and you have a speedy recovery :)

My hysterectomy was done vaginally. I had enough pain to require pain meds for the first five days. After that it got progressively better. At two weeks I felt fine. But I tired very easily. I don't know what you do; but if it's very active, I would say you need more time. Either way, you may want to start back slowly - maybe half days at first.

When my mother had hers (she was 50) she was out of work for 8 weeks. She felt much better by about 4 and was working part-time at 6. However, she didn't return fully until 8 weeks and she also sits for her job. I would def talk to your doc about authorizing more time for you. If you're doing better sooner, he can release you to go back before the 8 weeks is up. You don't want to be obligated to go back before your body is ready.

i had laproscopic and was able to resume everything after 3 weeks. if it is done the other way then it is longer.

okay - I had a hysterectomy on 7 Feb 2011...it was done laproscopically and removed vaginally...I was in the hospital for 24 hours - not even - maybe 22...

my sister took care of me. I went shopping on Thursday...

I am not working - but I was back to "life" within 72 hours and normal within 2 weeks.

I had a WONDERFUL caregiver - i had NOTHING to worry about - I slept for the first 48 hours - on and off - but the only thing I HAD to do? Sleep, eat and go to the bathroom - EVERYTHING else was done for me (okay - so I changed the channel if I was awake!! :) )

I am SOOOOO happy I had the hysterectomy - I can't tell you what a HUGE wonderful change it has made in my life. Seriously - I was nervous - but overall - it was GREAT!!!

I wasn't allowed to have sex for six weeks - but seriously? If had been working when I had it done - I honestly say that I would've been prepared to go back to work in 2 weeks...if not one.

Now, if they have to do it abdominally - I would say six weeks - just like a pregnancy...but I've never had a C-Section either....

GOOD LUCK!!! I hope it works out as great for you as it has for me!!!

I had complete abdominal hysterectomy about 10 yrs ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I am SO glad I did it and they took EVERYTHING.

They slapped a little patch on me after surgery and I have never looked or felt better in my life. I did not suffer the swelly belly, weight gain or loss of sex drive. I am still a size 2 or less, my perky boobs grew and I love that side effect as well as the high sex drive.

I wore a binder faithfully for weeks after the surgery, NOT REQUIRED, but it sure did make me feel more secure about walking around, etc and not messing anything up with the incision or internally.

I could not drive for 2 weeks. I was at my daughter's track meet within 3 weeks.

I truly believe the recovery has a lot to do with how prepared you are mentally, how fit you currently are, and your overall attitude. I am the type to not want to be in bed and have someone waiting on me so I do my best to get up and out with Dr. approval asap. I was exercising again, started slowly, as soon as I got approval to do it.

The worst part for me was waiting until the day of surgery.. that fear of the unknown sucks.

I had a partial hysterectomy (just ovaries) last November. It was laproscopic. My son was about 2 1/2 at the time and I wasn't allowed to pick him up for 6 weeks (or anything else over about 7 lbs.). I don't remember it being terribly painful, but I also had a mastectomy the January before and that was the most painful thing I've ever endured, so the hysterectomy seemed like a walk in the park, comparitively. I was sore for a week or two, but I had lots of help, took it easy and healed just fine from it. I don't know what kind of work you do, but I would talk to your doctor and see if he will write you out for 4 weeks (6-8 if you end up with an abdominal). My mom had a full abdominal hysterectomy about 15 years ago and she was definitely out for over 6 weeks. She was a nurse though and was on her feet handling patients, so she needed all of that time (and then some) to heal.

I wish you the best. Good luck in your recovery!

I had an abdominal about 20 years ago. It took me about 6 weeks to heal. I was fine and back to work by 4 weeks. That was okay because I sit at my job and could rest.

As others have said, we don't know your work routine and if it its active you might want to start back half time and work up to full time. Don't push it as you will relapse and that is not fun.

I attempted to mow the lawn about five months after and my stomach muscles were sore for several days.

Have a safe and speedy recovery.

The other S.

As for me it only took two weeks for me to feel human again but going back to work I would have to say it would depend on what you do. If it is a office job may be where you are sitting most of the time. but a fast food place or the like no way. It does take about 6-8 weeks to be fully healed and if you have any other work done it could take longer.
I was full open but it started laproscopic. I hope this helps and you will feel better. I know I do.
Don't do more than you feel like you can. You can always find a new job.
God Bless and Prayers,
T.